China not EU's adversary but security ties under strain, says Kaja Kallas ahead of Wang Yi meeting

Key Concepts

• EU-China Strategic Dialogue
• Multilateralism
• Economic upheaval due to US tariffs
• Electric vehicle tariffs
• Cognac exports
• Government medical device purchases
• Cybersecurity/Digital Battlefield
• Iran Nuclear Deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action - JCPOA)
• China's influence on Iran

EU-China Relations: Areas of Alignment and Disalignment

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is on a European tour, with the first stop in Brussels for a high-level strategic dialogue with EU counterpart, Miss Ka Kalas. The tour will also include Germany and France. While acknowledging that China is not Europe's adversary, Miss Ka Kalas highlighted strained security ties, alluding to Chinese firms aiding Moscow's war efforts in Ukraine, accusing Beijing of being behind cyber attacks and unfair trade practices with Europe.

Economic Cooperation Amidst Global Uncertainty

The primary focus of Wang Yi's visit is to identify areas of alignment between the EU and China, particularly in the context of international economic upheaval caused by the Trump administration's tariffs. Both the EU and China are seeking ways to mitigate the impact of these tariffs and promote multilateralism and cooperation.

Obstacles to the Relationship

Several issues remain obstacles to a stronger EU-China relationship:

• Electric Vehicle Tariffs: Disagreements over tariffs imposed on electric vehicles.
• Cognac Exports: Concerns regarding exports of cognac to China.
• Government Medical Device Purchases: Issues related to government procurement of medical devices.
• Cybersecurity (Digital Battlefield): The EU wants China to take more action to curb malicious cyberattacks originating from within China. The EU wants China to do more to clamp down on what the EU says are malicious cyber online attacks inside the EU.

EU's Security Concerns and the Middle East

The EU is also concerned about the situation in the Middle East and hopes China, as Iran's main oil buyer (approximately 90%), can exert influence on Iran to return to negotiations and de-escalate tensions.

The Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA)

The EU hopes to discuss a coordinated approach with China regarding the Iran nuclear deal. The EU aims to leverage China's influence to bring Iranian government officials back to the negotiating table, referencing the successful collaboration between Beijing and the EU in the 2015 JCPOA. The original Iran nuclear deal, formerly known as the joint comprehensive plan of action, was signed in 2015. China was one of those key signatories along with the European Union and Germany and France where Wangi is going later in the week.

Conclusion

Wang Yi's European tour represents an effort to navigate the complex relationship between the EU and China, balancing areas of cooperation, particularly in the face of global economic challenges, with addressing significant points of contention related to trade, security, and international relations. The EU is looking for joint influence on Thran to restart those talks.